Imagine having the comforting flavors of a cinnamon roll for breakfast, but in a healthy, protein-packed smoothie form! This incredible Cinnamon Roll Smoothie makes it happen. It’s a creamy, delicious blend of oats, banana, almond butter, dates, cinnamon, and nutmeg that whips up in just minutes. I absolutely love starting my day with this Cinnamon Roll Smoothie – it tastes so indulgent but is actually packed with fiber and wholesome ingredients, plus it’s dairy-free! It’s the perfect way to get your morning off and running, especially on a beautiful spring day like today, April 29th!
Why You’ll Love This Cinnamon Roll Smoothie
- Tastes Like a Treat: Captures the warm, sweet, cinnamon-spiced flavor of a cinnamon roll!
- Healthy & Nourishing: Packed with fiber from oats, protein from nut butter (and optional additions), and natural sweetness from dates and banana.
- Quick & Easy: Blends together in about 5 minutes – perfect for busy mornings.
- Dairy-Free & Vegan: Uses plant-based milk and maple/agave (or dates) for sweetness. Easily gluten-free with certified GF oats.
- Energizing: A great combination of carbs, protein, and healthy fats to fuel your morning.
Ingredients for Cinnamon Roll Smoothie
Here’s what you’ll need to blend up this delicious breakfast smoothie. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Pitted Medjool dates (Sweetener/Fruit)
- Large flake oats (Rolled oats) (Grain) (Use gluten-free if needed)
- Cinnamon (Spice)
- Ice cubes (Ice)
- Unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice) (Liquid)
- Nutmeg (pinch) (Spice)
- Frozen banana (Fruit)
- Smooth natural almond butter (or peanut butter) (Nut Butter)
- Maple syrup or honey* (optional, to taste) (Sweetener) (Note: Recipe lists dates, title mentions maple/honey too, instructions only list dates – clarifying)
- Vanilla extract (optional) (Flavoring) (Not listed in ingredients but common & mentioned in previous recipe from source)
Optional Add-Ins & Garnish
- Vanilla protein powder
- Greek yogurt (if not dairy-free)
- Hemp hearts or Chia seeds
- Cinnamon sprinkle
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love the classic cinnamon-nut butter flavor of this Cinnamon Roll Smoothie, but feel free to customize:
- Add Protein Powder: Include a scoop of vanilla or unflavored protein powder (plant-based or whey) to make it even more filling.
- Different Nut Butter: Use peanut butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter (for nut-free).
- Make it Creamier: Add ¼ cup of Greek yogurt (if not dairy-free) or a tablespoon of chia seeds (let sit for 5 mins after blending to thicken).
- More Spices: Add a pinch of ground ginger or cardamom along with the cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Add Greens: Toss in a handful of baby spinach – the color will change, but the flavor is usually well hidden.
- Different Milk: Use oat milk, soy milk, cashew milk, or dairy milk instead of almond milk.
How to Make a Cinnamon Roll Smoothie
Making this healthy Cinnamon Roll Smoothie takes just one simple step:
Combine and Blend
- In my high-speed blender, I add all the ingredients: the pitted Medjool dates, large flake oats, cinnamon, ice cubes, unsweetened almond milk, pinch of nutmeg, frozen banana, almond butter, optional vanilla, and optional maple syrup/honey (if using instead of/in addition to dates).
- I blend on high speed for approximately 45 seconds, or until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, I add a splash more almond milk; if too thin, another ice cube or piece of frozen banana.
- Pour into glasses and enjoy!
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Smoothie
Here are my secrets for making the perfect Cinnamon Roll Smoothie:
- Use Frozen Banana: This is key for a thick, creamy, cold smoothie without needing excessive ice, which dilutes flavor. Peel and freeze ripe bananas ahead of time!
- Soak Dates (If Dry): If your Medjool dates seem dry or hard, soak them in warm water for 5-10 minutes before blending to help them blend smoothly. Remember to remove the pits!
- Rolled Oats Work Best: Old-fashioned rolled oats blend well while adding fiber and thickness. Steel-cut oats won’t work well raw. Instant oats might make it slightly gummier.
- High-Speed Blender: While not essential, a high-speed blender does the best job of pulverizing the oats and dates for the smoothest consistency.
- Adjust Sweetness: Start with the dates, taste, and only add extra liquid sweetener (maple/honey) if absolutely necessary for your preference.
How to Serve
This Cinnamon Roll Smoothie is best served immediately after blending! Enjoy it:
- For Breakfast: A quick, filling, and delicious way to start your day.
- As a Snack: A healthy and satisfying snack to tide you over between meals.
- Post-Workout: A great option to refuel after exercise (especially with added protein powder).
- Garnished: Sprinkle with extra cinnamon, hemp hearts, or chia seeds.
Pour into a tall glass and enjoy right away!
Make Ahead and Storage
Smoothies are always best consumed fresh for optimal texture, flavor, and nutrient content. Storing blended smoothies isn’t recommended as they can separate and lose their creamy texture.
Meal Prep Tip: Create smoothie packs! Place the oats, dates, hemp hearts (if using), cinnamon, and nutmeg into individual freezer bags. Freeze banana chunks separately. In the morning, dump one dry ingredient bag and the frozen banana into the blender, add milk, nut butter, and vanilla, and blend!
FAQs about Cinnamon Roll Smoothie
- Can I make this smoothie gluten-free?
- Yes! Oats are naturally gluten-free but often cross-contaminated. Simply use certified gluten-free rolled oats to ensure it’s safe for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
- What kind of nut butter is best?
- A smooth, natural almond or peanut butter (ingredients: just nuts and maybe salt) works best. Avoid those with added sugars or oils.
- Can I make this without banana?
- Banana adds significant creaminess and natural sweetness. You could try substituting with frozen avocado (for creaminess, add more sweetener) or frozen mango (for fruity sweetness), but it will definitely change the flavor profile from a classic “Cinnamon Roll Smoothie”.
Enjoy this healthy, delicious, and incredibly easy Cinnamon Roll Smoothie! It’s like having dessert for breakfast, but guilt-free!
Print
Cinnamon Roll Smoothie (Dairy-Free)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Drinks, Smoothie, Dairy-Free
- Cuisine: American
Description
Have your cake (or cinnamon roll) and eat it too… for breakfast! This Cinnamon Roll Smoothie is packed with protein and fibre from oats and almond butter, whips up in minutes, and is soooo yummy! It also happens to be dairy-free.
Ingredients
- 1 frozen banana, broken into chunks
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or other milk)
- 1/4 cup large flake rolled oats (use certified gluten-free if needed)
- 1 tablespoon almond butter (or other nut/seed butter)
- 2 pitted Medjool dates (or more, to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 pinches ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup ice cubes
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add the frozen banana chunks, almond milk, rolled oats, almond butter, pitted dates, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ice cubes to a high-speed blender.
- Blend: Secure the lid and blend on high speed for approximately 45 seconds, or until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. If needed, stop and scrape down the sides.
- Adjust and Serve: Taste and add another date or a touch of maple syrup if you prefer more sweetness. If too thick, add a splash more almond milk; if too thin, add a few more ice cubes. Blend again briefly. Pour into 2 glasses and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Frozen Banana: Using a frozen banana is key for a thick, creamy, cold smoothie texture.
- Oats: Large flake rolled oats add fibre and creaminess. Use certified gluten-free oats if necessary.
- Nut Butter: Almond butter adds protein and healthy fats. Peanut butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter can be substituted.
- Dates: Medjool dates are soft and blend easily. If your dates are dry, soak them in hot water for 5-10 minutes, then drain before using. Adjust the number of dates based on desired sweetness. Maple syrup or another sweetener can be substituted.
- Milk: Any dairy or non-dairy milk works. Unsweetened almond milk is used here.
- Variations: Add a scoop of vanilla protein powder for an extra protein boost, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract for more flavor.
- Storage: Smoothies are best consumed immediately after blending.